Door holder

ABSTRACT

A latch-type door holder having a door frame mounting bracket and a door-supported channel formed with an elongated guide slot. The channel houses latch, hold-open pin and stop-shock assemblies. A drive arm pivoted to the mounting bracket moves the hold-open pin assembly to selectively engage the latch for door holding, or alternatively to contact the stop-shock assembly to effect a cushioned stop. The hold-open pin assembly comprises a slide block fabricated of self-lubricating plastic and presenting a substantial number of sliding surfaces to the channel to improve the durability of the holder. The slide block houses an elongated generally flat holdopen spring, one end of which is coupled to an adjustment screw, and the other end to a vertically movable hold-open pin. An intermediate portion of the spring rests against a projecting cam section which is in an integral part of the slide block. The latch assembly includes a latch pivoted upon a shaft so that the latch may selectively engage the hold-open pin or be removed from possible contact with the pin. The slide block is preferably fabricated of a solid plastic, such as nylon, containing a homogeneously dispersed solid lubricant, such as molybdenum disulfide.

United States Patet [72] Inventors [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee Richard J. Morrison Wilmette;

Arthur A. Schlutnpi, Chicago; Albert .1.

Martino, West Dundee, all oil, 1111. 48,091

June 22, 11970 Aug. 31, 197 i Rixson lnc.

Franklin Park, llll.

[54] DOOR HOLDER 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl......

[51] int. Cl [50] Field of Search 116/49, 292/274 EOSf 3/01) 16/49;

Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Peter A. Aschenbrenner Attorney-Augustus G. Douvas ABSTRACT: A latch-type door holder having a door frame mounting bracket and a doorsupported channel formed with an elongated guide slot. The channel houses latch, hold-open pin and stop-shock assemblies. A drive arm pivoted to the mounting bracket moves the hold-open pin assembly to selectively engage the latch for door holding, or alternatively to contact the stop'shock assembly to effect a cushioned stop.

The hold-open pin assembly comprises a slide block fabricated of self-lubricating plastic and presenting a substantial number of sliding surfaces to the channel to improve the durability of the holder. The slide block houses an elongated generally flat hold-open spring, one end ofwhich is coupled to an adjustment screw, and the other end to a vertically movable hold-open pin. An intermediate portion of the spring rests against a projecting cam section which is in an integral part of the slide block.

The latch assembly includes a latch pivoted upon a shaft so that the latch may selectively engage the hold-open pin or be removed from possible contact with the pin.

The slide block is preferably fabricated of a solid plastic, such as nylon, containing a homogeneously dispersed solid lubricant, such as molybdenum disulfide.

DOOR HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Door holders employing elements housed within a channel are well known in the art. These devices serve to hold a door at a desired open position with a minimum of manual effort to attain the hold position. Additionally, the holding function must be manually overcome readily in order to close the door.

The repetitive opening and closing of a do'oremploying a channel-type holder subjects the holder components to considerable wearing forces, and in extreme cases to destructive shock.

Excessive component wear ultimately introduces looseness or play in the holding function which is detrimental to good operation. Additionally, this condition contributes to the pre mature deterioration and to user dissatisfaction.

Accordingly, there is a substantial demand for door holders capable of withstanding reliably the door cycling generated by heavy traffic which requires repetitive opening and closing. Concurrently, the holder must provide a selective hold-open or stop-shock function easily and reliably.

. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art is fairly prolific in channel-type door holders employing latching elements. Most of these devices are complicated structurally and do not withstand the severe conditions generated by heavy traffic.

In many instances the holders are noisy and erratic in opera= tion, require constant maintenance including lubrication, and wear out prematurely, initially developing door play and ultimately complete failure in the door-holding function.

Examples of prior art door holders generally related to the class of this invention are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,958,089, 2,629,617, 2,497,830, 2,398,602, 2,108,891, 1,986,677, 944,723 and 786,158.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention features a concealed or surface-mounted door holder and stop which may be used on exterior, interior and vestibule doors subjected to heavy traffic. The door holder reliably protects closers, walls, butts, pivots, and other hardware, as well as preventing the door from being racked" with resultant damage to the frame.

The holder can be mounted on single and double-acting doors with an appropriate llof opening. Adjustable holdopen pressure with fingertip control is provided.

The improved hold-open pin assembly of this invention is characterized by a plastic slide block that glides quietly and smoothly, withstands tremendous shock, and has inherentlubricity which make lubrication unnecessary. This block features wall and guide surfaces that fit closely within a channel. The door fit attained between the slide block and the channel prevents excessive play which would otherwise lead to loose holding of the door. However, because of the self-lubricating function of the slide block, undesired wear and friction are not created. Thus, life expectancy of the holder is greatly extended.

Additionally, the slide block is simply constructed so that it may contain and also provide the necessary cam for the flat,

hold-open spring, guide slots for the hold-open pin, and a housing for the adjustment screw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view showing the door holder modified for concealed mounting on a flush door;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the concealed mounted channel, the' hold-open pin assembly the drive arm, and the frame bracket;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the concealed door holder of FIGS. 3 and 4 with portions of the channel broken away to show the general details of the stop-shock, latch, and holdopen pin assemblies;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hold-open pin assembly;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the details of the latch and hold-open pin assemblies positioned for shock-absorbing stop action;

FIG. 8 is a view sequentially related to FIG. 7, and in which the latch has been positioned for holding engagement with the hold pin;

FIG. 9 is a partial section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing details of the latched components effecting holdopen; and

FIG. 10 is a partial section view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 5 showing the stop-shock assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2, door holder 11 of this invention is shown surface mounted to flush door 12. The principal parts of door holder 11 comprise frame bracket 13, drive arm 14, channel 15, latch assembly 16 (see FIGS. 5,7, 8 and '9), hold-open pin assembly 17 (see FIGS. 5 through 9), and shock assembly 18 (see FIG. 10). Frame bracket 13 is applied to door frame 19 by a plurality of screws in the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It is the purpose and function of a typical commercial embodiment of door holder 11 to hold door 12 open at an angular position of approximately This function is attained generally by hold-open pin assembly 17 engaging latch assembly 16, as hereinafter explained in detail, particularly with reference to FIG. 8. As an additionalifunction, door holder 11 may be adjusted to serve a stop-shock function only by positioning latch assembly 16 as shown in FIG. 7.

The design of door holder 11 is such that it is adaptable for surface or concealed mounting, with a nonhanded, heavy-duty overhead application to exterior, interior, and vestibule doors subject to heavy traffic.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the basic door holder of FIGS. 1 and 2 conventionally modified so that this door holder may be applied in a concealed manner to the'top edge of door 12. In this embodiment, the concealed holder 20 comprises frame bracket 21, drive arm 22, channel 23, latch assembly 24, holdopen pin assembly 25, and stop-shock friction assembly 26. Components 21 through 26 in FIGS. 3 and 4 correspond generally to components 13 through 18 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The major difference in the two-door holder embodiments is that horizontal mounting holes are provided for channel 15; whereas, vertical mounting. holes are provided for channel 23. For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 5 through 9 show the details of the improved hold-open pin assembly 25, which characterize this invention, in association with the concealed door holder shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Hold-open pin assembly 25 cooperates with the latch pin assembly 24 also shown in these figures.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8, door holder 20 comprises a channel 23 which may be preferably fabricated of stainless steel, steel, or bronze. Channel 23 may be generally square or rectangular in construction and this channel includes vertical sidewalls 30 and 31, joined together by bottom 32 and including also a top 33which is formed with an elongated guide slot 34. Hold-open pin assembly 25, latch assembly 24 and stop-shock assembly 26 are generally housed within channel 23.

The left end of channel 23, as viewed in FIG. 5, receives a plastic end block 35 which is formed with a vertical hole 36 through which a mounting screw 37 passes (FIG. 4). The right end of channel 23, as viewed in FIG. 5, receives stop-shock end block 38 which is formed with vertical hole 39 which likewise receives a screw, such as 37 (FIG. 4), for mounting the channeL'I-Ioldopen pin assembly 25 reciprocates within the track provided by channel 23. Its leftmost (closing) movement is towards'block 35, and its rightmost (opening) movement is limited by stop-shock assembly 26, which will hereafter be explained with reference to FIG. 10.

Hold-open pin assembly 25 comprises plastic slide block 40 (FIG. 6) which has a generally elongated body formed with generally parallel elongated depending sides 41 and 42 which mate closely adjacent channel sides 30 and 31, respectively. The use of a plastic slide block 40 within a metallic channel 23 avoids galvanic corrosion which is typical of most prior art devices.

integrally formed legs 43 and 44 project downwardly from depending sides 41 and 42, respectively. The lower ends of legs 43 and 44 are joined together by an integrally formed base segment 27 which either contacts or is located closely adjacent the inner surface of channel bottom 32. Depending sides 30 and 31 of slide block 40 are joined together within the channel by a head section 45. Vertical web 46 projects from head section 45 and this web carries slide block flange 47, the lower surface of which rests against slotted top 33 of channel 23. It should be noted that head section 45, web 46 and flange 47 are sized so that guide slots 48 and 49 are formed in this area of the slide block assembly 25.

Slide block 40 is coupled to drive arm 22 by pivot 50. Accordingly, relative movement of drive arm 22 and door 12 enables the hold-open pin assembly 25 not only to slide within channel 23 but also to pivot relative the drive arm. Pivot washer 28 is sandwiched between drive arm 22 and slide block 40 to facilitate pivoting.

Depending walls 41 and 42 are each formed with identical elongated vertical slots 51 and 52. Hold-open pin 53 traverses sidewalls 30 and 31 so as to be lodged within slots 51 and 52. Pin 53 is capable of vertical movement relative the slots.

The left end of slide block 40 is formed with vertical hole 54 to receive slotted adjustment screw 55.

Adjustment screw 55 includes tip 57 which projects through an opening in screw support plate 56 and into a recess-formed base segment 27. Adjustment nut 58 is threadingly engaged by adjustment screw 55.

Slide block 40 is internally formed with a projecting cam section 60 located between adjustment screw 55 and hold-' open pin 53.

A flat elongated hold-open spring 61 is coupled to adjustment screw 55 and also hold-open pin 53 so as to be in contact with cam tip 60. In particular, the left end of hold-open spring 61 is formed with a hole which collars the shaft of adjustment screw 55, and the right end of hold-open spring 61 is slightly curved downwardly so as to engage matingly the upper circular surface of hold-open pin 53.

Rotation of adjustment screw 55 moves nut 58 so as to produce a vertical movement in the left end of hold-open spring 61. In the event the left end of spring 61 is elevated, cam 60 asserts an increased downwardly directed force upon hold-open pin 53. In the event that the left end of hold-open spring 61 is lowered, the spring asserts a decreased downwardly directed force upon hold-open pin 53.

Hold-open pin 53 cooperates with hold-open latch 62 of latch assembly 24 in order to effect the hold-open function. Latch assembly 24 includes a horizontally disposed pivot shaft 65 which extends between channel sidewalls 30 and 31 and is received by mating holes located therein. The near end of shaft 65 is formed with a slot 66 so that hold-open latch 61 may be rotated to either of the latch 62 positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by an instrument inserted in slot 66. Roll pin 67 retains latch 62 in a fixed position with respect to pivot shaft 65.

The projecting end of latch 62 is formed with a rest segment 68 and a lock segment 69. In the event that latch 61 is rotated clockwise, as shown in FIG. 7, lock segment 69 contacts bottom 32 of channel 23. With this disposition of the latch, holdopen pin 53 remains at a remote distance from latch 62, so that the holder 20 cannot perform a hold-open function. A stop-shock function is performed, however. This stop function is attained inasmuch as slide block 40 contacts shock block 70 of stop shock assembly 26.

In the event that latch 61 is rotated counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 8, lock segment 69 is removed from contact with channel bottom 32 and is elevated so that this segment will project into the path of hold-open pin 53. In particular, during the hold-open function attained by the disposition of components shown in FIG. 8, hold-open pin assembly 25 is driven rightwardly within channel 23 to a pointat which the pin is driven over and beyond segment 69 in opposition to the downwardly directed force of hold-open spring 61. In attaining the position of components shown in FIG. 8, hold-open pin 53 is driven upwardly within slots 51 and 52 so that the pin may ride over the projecting tip of lock segment 69.

The hold-open function is maintained until such time as a manual or other door-closing force'is applied to door 12. With the application of this force, drive arm 22 moves slide block 40 leftwardly over lock segment 69 and in opposition to the downwardly directed force of hold-open spring 61 until latch 62 and hold-open pin 53 are disengaged'when disengagement is effected, door 12 may be manually closed or automatically closed by a door closer of the conventional type.

Referring to FIG. 10, stop shock assembly 26 includes end block 38 which closes the right end of channel 23. As previously explained, end block 38 is formed with a vertical hole 39. Additionally, end block 38 is formed with a recess 71 which receives the right end of shock absorber spring 72. The left end of spring 72 is housed within a circular recess in shock block 70. Limit pin 73 defines the maximum separation between blocks 38 and 70.

Cover plate 74 is fixed to end block 38 by screw 75. The left end of the plate is not fixed to block 70. Accordingly, the cover plate protectively houses spring 72, but does not prevent relative movement between the blocks.

Stop shock assembly 26 is preferably designed so as to permit approximately 5 of additional door opening beyond the desired hold-open position.

Slide block 40 is preferably fabricated of a solid plastic containing a homogeneously dispersed solid lubricant. A preferred material for this requirement is nylon containing molybdenum disulfide-A plastic componentof nylon having controlled amounts of molybdenum disulfide homogeneously dispersed therein is capable of producing a minimum wear in a component subjected to extensive cycling. Additionally, in view of the fact that in a door holder of the design described, slide block 40 must be in close contact with channel 23 in order to minimize objectionable looseness or play in the parts, the introduction of a solid lubricant in slide block 40, such as molybdenum disulfide, minimizes undesired friction which will detrimentally effect the operation of the device.

For further information concerning a preferred plastic containing a solid lubricant, reference is herein made to the article Molding resins, published by the Polymer Corporation of Reading, Pennsylvania, and also the article, Molybdenum Disulfide in Nylon for Wear resistance, authored by Thomas E. Power and published in the June 1960 of Modern Plastics.

It should be understood that the structure herein described is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a door holder having a door frame mounting bracket, a door-supported elongated hollow channel with the channel housing a pivotable latch assembly and a hold-open pin assembly for selectively engaging the latch assembly to hold the door open at a desired open position, and a drive arm coupling the mounting bracket and hold-open pin assembly to move the pin assembly relative the channel, the improved hold-open pin assembly comprising a slide block slidably movable within the channel and formed with several surfaces positioned closely adjacent surfaces of the channel, an elongated generally flat spring disposed within a cavity formed within the slide block, an adjustment mechanism fixed to the slide block and coupled substantially at one end of the spring, a hold-open pin lodged within slots formed in the slide block and coupled substan tially at the end of the spring, and a projecting cam section housed within and fixed to the slide block and resting against an intermediate portion of the spring, whereby movement of the slide block in response to door opening causes the pin to move within the slots in opposition to a force generated by the spring to engage the latch assembly and thereby hold the door open.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the slide block is fabricated of a solid plastic containing a homogeneously dispersed solid lubricant.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the plastic is nylon and the solid lubricant is molybdenum disulfide.

4. The combination of claim l in which the channel is formed with a pair of sidewalls, a bottom and top having an elongated guide slot, and the slide block includes a head section located within the channel adjacent the slotted top, a web projecting through the guide slot and a flange carried by the web adjacent the exterior surface of the channel top.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which the slide block includes a pair of separated generally parallel depending sides each located adjacent different sidewalls of the channel with the projecting cam section sandwiched between the depending sides.

6. The combination of claim 4 in which the slide block includes a pair of separated generally parallel depending sides each located adjacent a different sidewall of the channel with the projecting cam section sandwiched between the depending sides.

7. The combination of claim 1 in which the spring is positioned to function as a lever whose fulcrum is the cam projection and with the adjustment mechanism being a screw exerting a varying force on the hold-open pin through the spring to correspondingly vary the force required to move the pin with the pin slots.

8. The combination of claim 5 in which each depending side is formed with a leg that projects towards the channel bottom, and in which a base segment located adjacent the channel bottom joins the legs.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which the adjustment mechanism is a screw carrying a nut with the screw being supported by the base segment.

10. In a door holder having a door frame mounting bracket, a door-supported elongated hollow channel formed with a pair of sidewalls, a bottom and a top having an elongated guide slot, with the channel housing a pivotable latch assembly and a hold-open pin assembly for selectively engaging the latch to hold the door open at a desired open position, and a drive arm coupling the mounting bracket and the hold-open pin assembly to move the pin assembly relative the channel, the improved hold-open pin assembly comprising a slide block slidably movable within the channel and formed with generally parallel elongated depending sides positioned closely adjacent the sidewalls of the channel and joined together by a head section supporting a cam section and each depending side being formed with an elongated generally vertical slot, an adjustment screw located generally inwardly at one end of the slide block, a pin traversing the depending sides with the pin ends movably housed within the slots, and an elongated holdopen spring adjustably engaged by the screw with an intermediate portion resting against the cam and the end opposite the screw resting against the pin whereby the pin forcibly engages the latch assembly when the latch thereof is pivoted into the hold-open position. 

1. In a door holder having a door frame mounting bracket, a door-supported elongated hollow channel with the channel housing a pivotable latch assembly and a hold-open pin assembly for selectively engaging the latch assembly to hold the door open at a desired open position, and a drive arm coupling the mounting bracket and hold-open pin assembly to move the pin assembly relative the channel, the improved hold-open pin assembly comprising a slide block slidably movable within the channel and formed with several surfaces positioned closely adjacent surfaces of the channel, an elongated generally flat spring disposed within a cavity formed within the slide block, an adjustment mechanism fixed to the slide block and coupled substantially at one end of the spring, a hold-open pin lodged within slots formed in the slide block and coupled substantially at the end of the spring, and a projecting cam section housed within and fixed to the slide block and resting against an intermediate portion of the spring, whereby movement of the slide block in response to door opening causes the pin to move within the slots in opposition to a force generated by the spring to engage the latch assembly and thereby hold the door open.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which the slide block is fabricated of a solid plastic containing a homogeneously dispersed solid lubricant.
 3. The combination of claim 2 in which the plastic is nylon and the solid lubricant is molybdenum disulfide.
 4. The combination of claim 1 in which the channel is formed with a pair of sidewalls, a bottom and top having an elongated guide slot, and the slide block includes a head section located within the channel adjacent the slotted top, a web projecting through the guide slot and a flange carried by the web adjacent the exterior surface of the channel top.
 5. The combination of claim 1 in which the slide block includes a pair of separated generally parallel depending sides each located adjacent different sidewalls of the channel with the projecting cam section sandwiched between the depending sides.
 6. The combination of claim 4 in which the slide block includes a pair of separated generally parallel depending sides each located adjacent a different sidewall of the channel with the projecting cam section sandwiched between the depending sides.
 7. The combination of claim 1 in which the spring is positioned to function as a lever whose fulcrum is the cam projection and with the adjustment mechanism being a screw exerting a varYing force on the hold-open pin through the spring to correspondingly vary the force required to move the pin with the pin slots.
 8. The combination of claim 5 in which each depending side is formed with a leg that projects towards the channel bottom, and in which a base segment located adjacent the channel bottom joins the legs.
 9. The combination of claim 8 in which the adjustment mechanism is a screw carrying a nut with the screw being supported by the base segment.
 10. In a door holder having a door frame mounting bracket, a door-supported elongated hollow channel formed with a pair of sidewalls, a bottom and a top having an elongated guide slot, with the channel housing a pivotable latch assembly and a hold-open pin assembly for selectively engaging the latch to hold the door open at a desired open position, and a drive arm coupling the mounting bracket and the hold-open pin assembly to move the pin assembly relative the channel, the improved hold-open pin assembly comprising a slide block slidably movable within the channel and formed with generally parallel elongated depending sides positioned closely adjacent the sidewalls of the channel and joined together by a head section supporting a cam section and each depending side being formed with an elongated generally vertical slot, an adjustment screw located generally inwardly at one end of the slide block, a pin traversing the depending sides with the pin ends movably housed within the slots, and an elongated hold-open spring adjustably engaged by the screw with an intermediate portion resting against the cam and the end opposite the screw resting against the pin whereby the pin forcibly engages the latch assembly when the latch thereof is pivoted into the hold-open position. 